Chapter Text
The ride to the airport was silent, the evening breeze filtering in through the open car window.
Hinata’s mother drove, and Natsu sat in the passenger seat. Hinata sat in the back, staring out at the mountains and rolling fields that filled Miyagi prefecture. He was grateful for the chance to take in the scenery. It was his last chance to soak in the smells and sights of home before he left for a very long time. On his right, Kageyama sat quietly. When he glanced over, Hinata noticed Kageyama’s expression. His jaw was clenched and his eyebrows were furrowed as he focused his gaze on the seat in front of him.
However, keenly aware like always, Kageyama quickly noticed Hinata staring. He shifted his gaze to Hinata's eyes. His expression softened but the worry remained plain on his face.
Hinata grabbed Kageyama's hand and sqeezed it lightly. He didn't have to say anything, his eyes had the uncanny ability to speak for themselves.
"It'll be okay"
Kageyama gave a weak smile, and nodded. Hinata's chest ached at the sight.
He was really going to miss him
They both turned their heads back to the countryside outside their windows, allowing the sounds of cicadas to fill their ears. Neither let go of the other's hand.
Eventually, they arrived at Sendai Airport. Kageyama helped Hinata unload his luggage from the back of the car, and the four of them went through check-in. Shortly after finding his gate, the boarding calls began. Hinata hugged his mother and sister tightly, uttering several "I love yous" and "I'll miss yous".
"Promise you'll call a bunch Shoyo!", Natsu said, still holding onto her older brother.
"I promise Natsu. I'll call every day if I can!"
"And make sure to let us know as soon as you land", Hinata's mom added, brushing hair from Hinata's face.
"Yes Mum, I will!"
After saying their goodbyes, Hinata turned his gaze to Kageyama. They stood staring at eachother for what felt like an eternity. Finally, Kageyama extended his hand to Hinata for a handshake.
This would be enough. Years in the sun would make the heartache subside, and soon, the anxious brush of hands and fleeting glances would become childish memories of what stupid kids thought love was. When he returned, the two would be rivals again. Old friends who'd pushed eachother to new heights. In time, they'd forget how inseperable they'd been, and the late evenings where silence, and fear of unrequited love hung heavy in the air. Yes, this was their future, and shaking Kageyama's hand was just the next step.
Hinata clasped his hand around Kageyama's.
Time stopped.
This would never be enough.
This stupid, impulsive kid needed his partner, his best friend like the air he breathed. He was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. It was desperate, it was damning, and it was unstoppable. Maybe in due time, he'd realize that this wasn't love, just attachment or infatuation. But today, Hinata needed Kageyama.
Almost as if he had lost control of his body, Hinata yanked Kageyama towards him into an tight hug. He soaked in the moment, desperate to remember the warmth of the embrace, and how Kageyama smelled of laundry detergent and home. They must have stood there for a while, because Hinata only broke the hug when he heard them annouce the final boarding call for his flight.
He took hold of his carry-on and locked eyes with Kageyama one last time.
"See you later Tobio" he said, Kageyama's first name still not quite rolling off his tongue.
"Yeah, I'll see you soon Shoyo", Kageyama replied, affection clear on his face.
Hinata walked towards his gate, knowing that the warm sands of Rio de Janeiro awaited him on the other side.
It still hurt, leaving behind his friends and family.
It hurt to leave his past self behind too, the one who had grown so much since his first official tournament.
It hurt to leave Kageyama, who'd been by his side through every victory and hardship.
So many things had been left unsaid, that hurt too.
And maybe, what hurt the most was that they knew, that for those three years under the sky they had once owned, love existed.